Varietals: Red & Yellow Catuai

Shade grown in the majestic heights of the famous coffee region of Tarrazu, this coffee is a prime produce of the Costa Rican micro mill revolution which has enabled coffee producers to process their coffee themselves thus increasing their income as well as the quality of their specialty varietals.

We have partnered with Juani Cordero, who owns Verde Alto, since 2011. A passionate and dedicated coffee farmer with over 60 years’ experience in growing specialty coffee, Juani only employs sustainable farming methods and proudly runs his own family micro mill giving him full control over the quality of his coffee. Over the past couple of years, his children have been taking over the family business, including his son Leonardo, pictured in the photo feeding coffee cherries into the mill to be processed.

“Verde Alto” translates into “Green High” in Spanish to evoke the high altitudes of Juani’s mill as well as the standards set for this special lot. It is both sweet and delicate and offers a buttery mouthfeel of chardonnay wine for a well-balanced and structured cup.

Verde Alto
Juani Cordero’s farm ‘Verde Alto’ is located in San Pablo de León Cortés in the famous coffee growing region of Tarrazu. Juani, an extremely dedicated coffee farmer, cultivates his coffee on his farm as “green” as possible, minimising agrochemical use on the farm. The farm is shade-grown and grown up at high heights between 1750 and 1800 metres above sea level. No wonder the farm is named Verde Alto - verde (green) and alto (high/elevated) in Spanish!

Juani started producing coffee at 16 years old, giving him 60 years of experience producing speciality coffee. He is now imparting that knowledge to his sons who help him run the farm.

Juani’s oldest coffee trees are 20 years old - which can be associated with a decline in productivity - but this is controlled with newer plantings at 15, five and two years old - meaning the yield is maintained at optimal levels. During the harvest they need 20-25 pickers who are mostly from the local village of San Pablo, and also a few migrant workers from Panama.

Verde Alto

Union Hand-Roasted Coffee is made by a Union of Farmers, Roasters, Tasters, Drinkers and Friends. Make your house a Coffeehouse.

Verde Alto

0.0

Verde Alto

New Coffee Review